Wizard's Funeral by Kim Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

Hannacks. You alone survived? spat Humbold. You ran, you mean. Cowardice is punishable by death, Your Highness. I suggest Be quiet, Humbold, snapped the queen, seemingly more furious at this interruption than with Soldier. Did you run, Soldier? Soldier got to his feet, stiff with reserve. I was struck unconscious. He was, he was, piped up Guido at this point. We saw it all, didnt we, brother? Yes, cried Sando. We were standing on a ridge and we saw the whole thing. Soldier fought like a true hero. He was hit from behind by a cowardly Hannack. QUIET, roared Humbold. How dare you speak without being spoken to, in front of royalty. Were royalty, too! cried the twins in unison, rounding on him in annoyance. Were the rightful rulers of the Kingdom of Bhantan. Youre just a court lackey! Youre just a minion. Were princes. We could have your head chopped off. The court let out a general gasp. Weve been usurped, continued Sando, speaking as if confidentially to the queen. Its all been a mistake, Guido added, nodding hard. Soldier explained, They played a trick on the city. They broke protocol. Apparently its a heinous crime in Bhantan. Theyve been dethroned and banished. In fact theyre just a couple of mischievous youngsters, full of youthful pranks. However, Im sorry if this sounds immodest, but they tell the truth. I was attacked in great number and struck from behind. Thats the simple truth of the matter. The whole court stared at the urchins. Marshal Grushkite, who had so far remained in the background, stepped forward. I dont know if these two boys are indeed princes, or whether theyre gamins, he huffed, but I dont see it makes a deal of difference, Your Highness. Theyve got eyes, is what counts. It doesnt matter who they are, they say they witnessed the attack. But can we believe them? said Humbold, silkily, still smarting under the insults from the boys. Weve had no word from Bhantan that the White Prince and the Rose Prince have been deposed. These are probably two urchins Soldier found out in the desert. They suit his purpose very well ... Captain Kaff, who was desperate to get in on the argument, was almost exploding with having to hold his tongue. He had no standing in a court full of nobles. He was a mere military man, with no title, and his warlord took precedence over him in such a gathering. Marshal Crushkite, however, was clearly on the side of Soldier, probably because Soldier was a military man too, and more probably because Crushkite hated Humbold. The queen was looking confused. Her lips were tightening. A sure sign that she was about to make a nasty pronouncement. Suddenly the powerful if elderly and frail figure of Quidquod, Lord of the Royal Purse, spoke in that calm, considered way of his. It seems to me, Your Highness, that there are too many people here anxious to lay blame, and not enough of them coming forward with solutions to our problem. Our next King Magus is in the hands of the Hannacks. He is but a boy, and will not be invested with his great powers of wizardry until he is inaugurated. Thus we must expect him to be helpless in the hands of those barbarians of the north. We need to initiate a rescue. I propose that in order to redeem himself, Soldier takes a company of the Imperial Guard and wrests the King Magus from the grip of these savages. When Soldier returns - for I do believe he is the best person to lead this expedition - he shall be tried for his incompetence. Kaff could keep silent no longer. He spluttered, I am the Captain of the Imperial Guard! Your Highness, I should lead any expedition. Again, Quidquod spoke quietly. Captain Kaff is a good soldier, but he is more used to drills and parades than warfare - especially guerrilla warfare. We need a man who can lead a raid. Soldier, also a captain, has fought many times - against the Hannacks, against the beast-people, against many of our enemies - and has proved himself a warrior of extraordinary prowess and ... And savagery, broke in Humbold.